Growing tomatoes in the open field with biological control

Growing tomatoes outdoors is becoming increasingly popular, as the taste and quality of home-grown vegetables is often far superior to those grown in shops. However, growing tomatoes successfully can be challenging, especially when it comes to protecting the plants from pests and diseases. The use of biological control is not only kinder to the environment, but can also help to achieve a healthy and abundant harvest.

Basics of growing tomatoes in the open field

Before talking about biosecurity, it is important to clarify the basics of growing tomatoes in the field. Tomatoes are a thermophilic crop that thrives in sunny, sheltered areas where the soil is well drained and rich in organic matter. The ideal planting time is in spring, after the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature has reached 15°C.

The seedlings should be pre-grown indoors or in a hotbed, and then gradually acclimatised to the outdoor conditions before planting. It is also important to maintain the correct planting distance, as tomatoes are vigorous growers and require a lot of space.

Growing healthy outdoor tomatoes with Danuba Garden products

I have used several Danuba products for field tomato production (field bunched and cocktail tomato seedlings). To improve soil life in the planting pits in May before planting Asco Start HumusI gave. The high content of phosphorus and zinc in the microgranules helps intensive root formation.

A small spoonful of Mikomax was also added to the pits, which are useful fungal organisms that help with rooting and nutrient uptake, and of course also help protect the plant from soil-dwelling root pests. 

After planting, every two weeks 10 litres of juice in a volume of 20 ml Ino Green I used Ino Green, a foliar fertilizer that strengthens skin tissue and helps with water use, both to prevent calcium deficiency and to help the plants survive the current very hot weather. The optimal application during this period is recommended in the morning hours, below 25°C. 

Growing tomatoes in the open field - Fungus control

As a preventive measure to avoid the appearance of fungal diseases, before flowering and after setting Tricho ImmunI treated my plants with a solution of one third of 100 grams of the product in 2 litres of water. The dosage was in proportion to the size of the plants.

These are the periods when the plants are most vulnerable and when it is necessary to prepare for the development of a good quality and quantity of crops with adequate protection against pathogens/pests. 

Growing tomatoes in the open field - Preventing insect attacks

After that, when the tomatoes have started to ripen, but the bedbugs love to sting the reddish fruits on the SoftGuard product at a dose of 2 ml in 2 litres of water to prevent "insect attack". The product contains chitosan, which breaks down the chitinous skeleton/cell wall of insects and fungi. 

That's why we can say that indoor-outdoor protection is the best way to protect our plants! Inside Tricho Immune protects against pathogens outside SoftGuard against harmful organisms. 

Finally, some pictures of my beautiful organic seedlings and organic tomatoes. ☺️

Growing tomatoes in the open field - Intensive growth

For the intense growth shown in the pictures, the Tricho Immun and the MikoMax Garden products together have contributed significantly. 

🌱Bunched and cocktail tomatoes on intensively growing seedlings:

🍅 ... and the first harvests:

Here are the final results of the Danuba-supported retail tomato production

Growing tomatoes in the open field - Summary

Growing tomatoes in the open air with DanubaGarden products is not only a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution, but also helps to achieve a healthier and tastier harvest. The use of natural methods can also be beneficial in the long term, reducing the load of harmful chemicals on the soil and supporting the ecological balance of the garden.

If you want to grow tomatoes successfully, you should incorporate these biological control methods into your gardening practices.

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